Podcasts

Is the Iran nuclear deal constitutional?

BakerHostetler's David Rivkin and Hofstra University's Julian Ku join the National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the Iran nuclear deal and the constitutional questions about its passage and enforcement.

July 30, 2015

Voting rights on trial in North Carolina

As the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act approaches, Rick Hasen of the University of California, Irvine School of Law and Derek Muller of the Pepperdine University School of Law join our Jeffrey Rosen to discuss a big trial in North Carolina.
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July 25, 2015

Everything You Need to Know About The Constitution in Two Amendments

Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, leads an interactive discussion about the myriad issues, history, and opinions related to the First and Fourth Amendments.

Perspectives on a historic Supreme Court term

National Constitution Center president Jeffrey Rosen is joined by U.S. Senator Chris Coons, Neal Katyal, David Frum and David Leonhardt to break down a busy end to the Supreme Court’s landmark term.

July 09, 2015

The Supreme Court decisions on same-sex marriages, redistricting

National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Richard Pildes and Michael Stokes Paulsen to analyze the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage and election redistricting decisions.

Analyzing the Obamacare Supreme Court decision

The National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Ilya Shapiro and Erwin Chemerinsky to break down Thursday’s decision that upheld critical Obamacare tax subsidies in about three dozen states.

Supreme Court rules on license plates, church signs and visas

The National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen talks with Ilya Somin from George Mason University and the Constitutional Accountability Center’s Elizabeth B. Wydra about four big Supreme Court cases, including decisions on vanity license plates and church signs.

Which branch controls foreign affairs?

Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Erwin Chemerinsky of the University of California-Irvine School of Law and Richard Epstein of the New York University School of Law to discuss a major ruling on the separation of powers and to preview an upcoming decision about housing discrimination.

Reviewing the Supreme Court’s first week of June

Jeffery Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitutional Center, is joined by Richard Pildes and Nicholas Quinn Rosenkranz to review the Supreme Court’s headscarf and Facebook decisions, and two other cases on the horizon.

Donor disclosure and anonymous speech

Allen Dickerson and Anthony Johnstone debate the controversy over non-profits being forced to release the names of anonymous donors. Jeffrey Rosen of the National Constitution Center hosts this conversation.

The Courts, The Constitution and Phone Metadata

The National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen is joined by three top experts to look at the constitutional future of the Patriot Act’s controversial Section 215, which allows the NSA to collect the phone records of Americans.

The constitutional debate over state RFRA laws

The National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen speaks with Brigham Young University's Frederick Mark Gedicks and the University of Richmond's Kevin Walsh about the national debate over state RFRA laws.

The Confederate license plate debate

Ilya Shapiro and Scott Gaylord join us to debate one of the more interesting cases in front of the Supreme Court this term: the right of Texas to ban state-issued license plates that feature the Confederate flag.

The President, Congress, Iran and the Constitution

The National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen is joined by constitutional experts Bruce Ackerman and Louis Fisher to discuss a hot topic: the roles of the President and Congress in conducting America’s foreign policy.

Can a few words shut down Obamacare?

Jonathan H. Adler from Case Western Reserve University and Nicholas Bagley from the University of Michigan join National Constitution Center president Jeffrey Rosen to analyze the core constitutional arguments in the latest Obamacare challenge at the Supreme Court.

Obama’s immigration policy at a legal crossroads

Michael Dorf and Ilya Shapiro join the National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the legal and constitutional implications of a judicial decision in Texas that could change, or stop, President Obama's new immigration policies.

A bipartisan effort to promote constitutional awareness

National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen talks about an important new project to promote constitutional awareness with Rick Pildes from the New York University School of Law and Nicholas Quinn Rosenkranz from Georgetown University Law Center and the Cato Institute.

Jeff Rosen answers your constitutional questions

In the latest installment of our popular podcast series, National Constitution Center president Jeffrey Rosen answers your questions about constitutional conventions, creating new states and the rights of immigrants.

Should elected judges be allowed to ask for campaign donations?

Jeffery Rosen speaks with two leading experts, Bob Corn-Revere and Burt Neuborne, about one of the most interesting cases in the Supreme Court this term: about state-level judges who run for office, and want to raise campaign funds.
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January 22, 2015

Charlie Hebdo and the freedom of speech

Eric Posner from the University of Chicago and Jonathan Rauch from the Brookings Institution join our Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the limits of free speech.

Judicial rulings and the evaluation of laws

Michael Gerhardt from the University of North Carolina School of Law and Clark Neily from the Institute for Justice join our Jeffrey Rosen to discuss when it is appropriate for the courts to strike down laws passed by a legislature.

The Constitution and the Senate torture report

Jeffrey Rosen speaks with Michael Lewis from Ohio Northern University and Chris Anders from the American Civil Liberties Union about the constitutional aspects of the CIA’s detainment and interrogation of terrorists.

Free speech, Facebook and the Supreme Court

Our Jeffrey Rosen speaks with Steven M. Freeman from the Anti-Defamation League and Ilya Shapiro from the Cato Institute about a potential landmark Supreme Court case involving Facebook and free speech.

Podcast: The Constitution, immigration and executive powers

Louis Fisher from the Constitution Project and Chris Edelson from American University analyze President Obama’s speech and executive orders about immigration, in a detailed conversation with the National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen.

Supreme Court ponders passports and Israel

The Supreme Court has heard one of the biggest cases of its term, involving the perceived diplomatic status of Jerusalem and the division of foreign policy powers between Congress and the President. Mike Ramsey from the University of San Diego School of Law and Eugene Kontorovich from Northwestern University School of Law discuss the case with Jeff Rosen.To listen to the full podcast, use the player below or click on the following link: Download this episode (right click and save)

November 06, 2014

Jeffrey Rosen answers your Bill of Rights questions

In the newest installment of our Ask Jeff podcast series, the National Constitution Center’s president, Jeffrey Rosen, answers your questions about the Bill of Rights.
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October 24, 2014

The real scoop on “The Roosevelts”

Listen to National Constitution Center president Jeffrey Rosen’s incredible one-hour interview with author Geoffrey Ward, the author of the book on “The Roosevelts” that was featured on PBS.To listen to the full podcast, use the player below or click on the following link: Download this episode (right click and save)

October 14, 2014

The Supreme Court tackles prison beards and religious liberty

Howard Friedman from the University of Toledo College of Law and Marci Hamilton from the Cardozo School of Law discuss one of the most interesting cases in front of the Supreme Court this term, which could further define the limits of religious liberty in a secular society.
To listen to the full podcast, use the player below or click on the following link: Download this episode (right click and save)

October 10, 2014

Eastman and Hasen on the Voting Rights debate

Rick Hasen from the University of California-Irvine and John Eastman from Chapman University break down the biggest issues about voting rights and the Constitution, as the Supreme Court considers one case and more cases are in front of federal judges.

Podcast: Online privacy for public figures in the social media age

Do current laws give public figures and private people adequate protection from online hackers who post content on websites? Our Jeffrey Rosen speaks with Eric Posner and Marc Rotenberg about a very personal topic.

Ask Jeff Rosen, Episode 2: Congress and the Constitution

In our second “Ask Jeff Rosen” podcast, the National Constitution Center CEO Jeffrey Rosen answers reader questions about the 14th Amendment, if Congress is above the law, and if a national day of prayer would be legal.

Podcast: Debating two ways of changing Citizens United

Cenk Uygur and Meredith McGehee join the National Constitution Center's Jeffery Rosen for a debate about a constitutional convention versus legislative reform as a way to address campaign finance concerns.

Podcast: Split in Obamacare cases could send them to Supreme Court

Leading experts Michael Cannon and Nicholas Bagley join the National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the two latest Obamacare cases, Halbig and King, which could be accepted by the Supreme Court in another test of the health-care law.

Podcast: Experts talk about the Founders on a personal level

What were George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and James Madison really like? Four noted authorities discuss these essential Founders in detail, in discussions held at America’s Town Hall at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Podcast: Did President Obama violate the Constitution in the Bergdahl case?

Leading experts Eric Posner and Ilya Somin debate if President Barack Obama had a constitutional right to approve U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s recent release from captivity, without notifying Congress.

Podcast: The real purpose of the Second Amendment

What did the Founding Fathers really intend when they crafted the Second Amendment? Two leading experts with opposing views, Michael Waldman and Alan Gura, debate the topic in a spirited discussion with Jeffrey Rosen at the National Constitution Center.

Podcast: Times reporter faces jail for protecting source

The National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Ted Boutrous and Randall Eliason to discuss reporter James Risen’s failed Supreme Court appeal, and why Risen faces jail for protecting a source.

Podcast: Explaining Europe’s historic online privacy ruling

The National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Michael Fertik from Reputation.com and Marc Rotenberg from EPIC to discuss a potentially game changing legal decision from Europe about Google and online privacy.

Podcast: Interview with Justice Stephen Breyer

The National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen spends 30 minutes with Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, in an interview that ranges from Breyer’s view of the Constitution to the controversial Korematsu case. Recorded: 4/24/2014.

Podcast: Church, State and the Supreme Court

Erwin Chemerinsky from the University of California, Irvine School of Law and Scott Gaylord from Elon University School of Law discuss the long-term impact of the Supreme Court’s public prayer decision on other First Amendment religion cases.

Podcast: P.J. O’Rourke, Ilya Shapiro On Politics and Lies

Satirist P.J. O’Rourke and the Cato Institute’s Ilya Shapiro join the National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen to discuss laws that actually punish people for making false statements during political campaigns.

Podcast: The affirmative action controversy at the Supreme Court

Two leading experts on affirmative action, Bruce Ackerman and Richard Epstein, pick apart the Supreme Court’s Schuette decision, and debate if it is a disaster, unrealistic for colleges, or a game changer in constitutional law.

Podcast: Lessig, Levinson on changing the Constitution

Lawrence Lessig from Harvard and Sanford Levinson from the University of Texas join the National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen to discuss if America needs a second Constitutional convention and what challenges such a meeting would pose.

Podcast: Jeffrey Toobin on The Broken Constitution

The National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen hosts a wide-ranging discussion with CNN's Jeffrey Toobin about whether or not we should blame the Founding Fathers for the current problems in government. Toobin first talked about this subject in a New Yorker article.

Podcast: Is Barack Obama’s “imperial presidency” constitutional?

Gene Healy from the Cato Institute and Simon Lazarus from the Constitutional Accountability Center debate recent allegations that President Barack Obama has overstepped his constitutional powers as President, in a podcast hosted by the National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen.

Podcast: The epic battle for the Civil Rights Act

New York Times editor Clay Risen talks about his newest book, The Bill of the Century: The Epic Battle for the Civil Rights Act, at the National Constitution Center with the Center's president, Jeffrey Rosen.

The legendary and unpredictable Alan Dershowitz spends an hour speaking to a sold-out audience at the National Constitution Center, discussing everything from the Hobby Lobby case, to the O.J. Simpson trial, to the meanest client he ever defended.

Podcast: Will the New Mexico photography case blow up anti-discrimination laws?

Should a company be allowed to refuse customers because of their sexual orientation? Two leading experts, Michael Dorf and Richard Epstein, debate this very complicated issue in a podcast moderated by Jeffrey Rosen for the National Constitution Center.

Podcast: Is the free press better off 50 years after the Sullivan decision?

On the 50th anniversary of the New York Times v. Sullivan decision, Richard Epstein from the New York University School of Law and Geoffrey Stone from the University of Chicago Law School discuss if the free press is in a better place now, or if the decision needs to be revisited. Hosted by Jeffrey Rosen, CEO and President of the National Constitution Center.

Podcast: Is same-sex marriage heading back to the Supreme Court?

Bruce Ackerman from Yale Law and John C. Eastman from Chapman University School of Law join the National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen for a podcast discussion about recent same-sex marriage decisions in the lower courts, and the prospect for another historic Supreme Court case in the court’s next term.

Podcast: The Supreme Court and the Right to Bear Arms

Does the Supreme Court need to offer better guidance about the right to carry a handgun outside your home for self-defense reasons? Lawrence E. Rosenthal from Chapman University and Ilya Shapiro from the Cato Institute join our Jeffrey Rosen to discuss this Second Amendment issue.

The Court ponders intellectual disability and capital punishment

National Constitution Center president Jeffrey Rosen joins Kent Scheidegger from the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation and Lee Kovarsky from the University of Maryland School of Law to discuss a significant case involving the Eighth Amendment and capital punishment, which the Supreme Court will hear in March.

Due process, lethal drones and American citizens

How do American citizens, even as enemy combatants, enjoy the constitutional protection of due process in drone attacks? Joining us to discuss this current topic are Jonathan Hafetz from Seton Hall Law and John Yoo from the University of California Berkeley Law School, in a conversation moderated by the National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen.

Executive power in a time of war

Chris Edelson of American University and Lou Fisher of the Constitution Project join National Constitution Center CEO Jeffrey Rosen to examine the constitutional issues about the President's power to take military action without a formal Congressional war declaration.

Podcast: Does the Constitution Speak to Income Inequality?

The topic of income inequality and the Constitution is a hot one in public policy circles. Joining our Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the constitutional aspects of the issue are William Forbath from the University of Texas- Austin School of Law and Stephen B. Presser from Northwestern University Law.

The Future of NSA Surveillance

Peter Swire of the White House NSA Review Board, Anita Allen of the University of Pennsylvania, and Charlie Savage of the New York Times join Jeffrey Rosen to discuss government surveillance, past and future.

Net Neutrality and the First Amendment

Tim Wu from Columbia Law and Stuart Benjamin from Duke Law join the National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen for a fascinating discussion about net neutrality, and the First Amendment issues related to the ability of Internet service providers to block content.

Analysis of the NSA, privacy and President Obama’s reforms

The National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen joins leading privacy experts Peter Swire and Benjamin Wittes to break down President Obama’s speech about NSA reforms and what it really means for Americans.

Religious liberties for corporations

Do corporations have the same religious liberties as natural people? David Gans of the Constitutional Accountability Center and the CATO Institute’s Ilya Shapiro joined Jeffrey Rosen for a detailed discussion about a hot constitutional issue.

Sorting out the new challenges to Obamacare

As a new year starts in Washington, a different set of challenges could be on the horizon for the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare. The National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Jonathan H. Adler and Simon Lazarus in this extended audio discussion about three different court challenges to Obamacare.

Bobby Jindal on Obama energy policy, Lady Gaga and more

At the National Constitution Center, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal takes issue with the Obama administration’s energy policy, saying that decisions on subjects like fracking aren't based in science and are being influenced by interest groups and celebrities like Yoko Ono and Lady Gaga.

McConnell, Gans on religious rights, the First Amendment and Obamacare

Do corporations have the same religious rights as individuals under the First Amendment when it comes to the Affordable Care Act? Michael McConnell and David H. Gans discuss this far-reaching question with the National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen in this special audio podcast.

American Epic: Reading the U.S. Constitution

Distinguished legal scholar Garrett Epps and SCOTUS blog’s Lyle Denniston, the National Constitution Center’s adviser for constitutional literacy, delve into the indelible language of America’s founding document. In his engaging new book, "American Epic: Reading the U.S. Constitution," Professor Epps provides “an intelligent and provocative tour through the fascinatingly complicated, vitally important blueprint of the United States” (Publishers Weekly). His fresh perspective on the role of the federal government, constitutional loopholes, and even the Preamble are sure to inspire lively debate.

Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address

On the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, constitutional scholar and Yale Law professor Akhil Amar, historian and Princeton University professor Sean Wilentz and Jeffrey Rosen of the National Constitution Center discuss the constitutional legacy of Lincoln and the address itself. A special guest also takes questions at the program's conclusion.

Secret History of the Kennedy Assassination

Bestselling author and former New York Times reporter Philip Shenon addresses questions about the assassination of John F. Kennedy and more in his newest book, A Cruel and Shocking Act: The Secret History of the Kennedy Assassination, in this National Constitution Center live program.

The debate over public prayer hits the Supreme Court

The National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen speaks with three experts who have differing views on legislative prayer: Marci A. Hamilton from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, at Yeshiva University; Steven D. Smith from the University of San Diego School of Law; and Thomas Berg from the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) School of Law.

Experts debate the debt ceiling and the 14th amendment

Sean Wilentz, Ilya Shapiro and Neil H. Buchanan join the National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen to discuss one of the most unique topics in constitutional law: the 14th Amendment and the debt ceiling.

Kerr, Rotenberg on NSA domestic surveillance

Orin Kerr of George Washington University and Marc Rotenberg of the Electronic Privacy Information Center join the National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen to discuss warrantless surveillance by the NSA and other critical privacy issues in an audio interview.

Affirmative Action: The Schuette Case

Roger Clegg from the Center for Equal Opportunity and Erwin Chemerinsky from the University of California – Irvine, two leading experts on affirmative action, discuss the merits of a high-profile Supreme Court case of Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action.

Gans, Shapiro debate the McCutcheon campaign finance case

Ilya Shapiro from the Cato Institute and David H. Gans from the Constitutional Accountability Center sit down with the National Constitution Center's Jeffrey Rosen to debate key issues in the McCutcheon case about campaign finance.

Coffee and Conversation: Detention, Interrogation, and the Constitution

Join James R. Jones, David R. Irvine, and other distinguished members of The Constitution Project’s bipartisan Task Force on Detainee Treatment along with National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen for an in-depth look at America’s pre- and post-9/11 actions related to the capture, detention, and interrogation of suspected terrorists.

Richard Beeman: Our Lives, Our Fortunes and Our Sacred Honor

Eminent historian Richard Beeman illuminates how America transformed from a colony into a republic and how Americans turned from subjects into citizens through a combination of political maneuvering, intellectual brilliance, and revolutionary documents including the Declaration of Independence. The conversation was moderated by law professor and distinguished legal commentator Jeffrey Rosen, who was recently appointed as the Center's president and CEO.

June 11, 2013

Equality Forum: Elected LGBT Officials

The National Constitution Center and Equality Forum present recently elected and seasoned LGBT politicians to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and expectations faced by openly gay government officials. Moderated by Jeff Spitko of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute, the panel features Pennsylvania State Representatives Mike Fleck and Brian Sims; Mayor Alex Morse of Holyoke, Massachusetts; and Mary Washington of the Maryland House of Delegates.

June 11, 2013

Can We Talk ... About Race?

In the wake of Philadelphia magazine's controversial cover story “Being White in Philly,” the magazine joins the National Constitution Center to present a program about the story and how to foster productive, thoughtful conversations about race-related issues in Philadelphia. Philadelphia magazine editor Tom McGrath moderates a conversation featuring Robert Huber, author of the cover story; Dr. Walter Palmer, lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania; Solomon Jones, best-selling author and award-winning journalist; Farah Jiminez, president and CEO of the People's Emergency Center; and journalist Christopher Norris.

May 16, 2013

A Nation Divided: The Second Amendment After Newtown

The National Constitution Center and WHYY present a timely town hall discussion about Second Amendment freedoms and the tension between gun control and gun rights in 21st-century America. The conversation features E. Duncan Getchell, solicitor general of Virginia, and R. Seth Williams, district attorney of Philadelphia. Dave Davies, a senior reporter for WHYY and a contributor and guest host for Fresh Air with Terry Gross, moderates.

May 16, 2013

Gavin Newsom: Government in the Digital Age

Join California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom as he discusses his newly released book, Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government—a guide for how ordinary citizens can use technology and social media to transform American democracy. Renowned as a political, digital, and entrepreneurial pioneer, Lieutenant Governor Newsom served two terms as the youngest mayor of San Francisco—where he granted marriage licenses to same-sex couples and fostered the city’s growth as a center for technology. The conversation will be moderated by Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

On the heels of the final debate of the presidential election, the 10th Annual Templeton Lecture on Economic Liberties and the Constitution delves into the key issue of economic freedom through the lens of Founding Fathers (and authors of The Federalist Papers) Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. This compelling conversation features American Enterprise Institute President Dr. Arthur C. Brooks, author of the New York Times bestseller The Road to Freedom: How to Win the Fight for Free Enterprise, and National Review Senior Editor Richard Brookhiser, an eminent historian who will provide expert insight into America’s early economic ideals. The John M. Templeton Jr. Lecture showcases the best constitutional minds in America as they discuss economic liberties in a forum open to the public.

April 12, 2013

Hail to the Chiefs (of Staff)

Every powerful elected official in America depends on a smart, savvy, and highly skilled chief of staff. Get an insider’s look at campaigns, elections, and the trials of governing at this must-see panel discussion with current and former chiefs of staff including Matthew Gallagher (Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley), Anita McBride (former First Lady Laura Bush) and David Urban (former Senator Arlen Specter). Scott Detrow of NPR’s StateImpact PA project moderates.